THE Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) is optimistic about the rebound of the local livestock sector once the bill supporting the industry is enacted into law.
Rosendo So, Sinag chairman, in a briefing in Quezon City on Thursday Senate Bill 2558 authored by Sen. Cynthia Villar will provide funding support for the livestock and poultry sector by pooling the tariff collection from imports of meat products.
“The main problem is the budget… If we can pass the livestock and poultry law, the required budget (to support the sector) may be … automatically be provided to the sector,” So said.
SB 2558 known as an Act Strengthening Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Industry Development and Competitiveness was approved on third and final reading last August.
The proposed law will create a Livestock, Poultry and Dairy Competitiveness Enhancement Fund that will consist of an annual appropriation not exceeding P7.8 billion sourced from all tariff collections on imported livestock, poultry and dairy products for the fraction of the year, following the effectivity of the law and 10 years thereafter.
Beneficiaries of the fund include smallholder raisers, cooperative associations or organizations accredited by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
